18 Sep 2025 | by Dr. Doherty
In our current era of information overload, it can be confusing for potential patients
to navigate the world of aesthetic surgery. There are so many choices. A frequently
asked question that I see online is: “How to Know if I’m a Good Candidate for
Plastic Surgery?”. The simple answer is you really don’t. It is the job of a Board-
Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, to determine whether or not a specific
procedure will work for your unique anatomy, needs and desired outcome. It’s
incredibly common for a new patient to come in to see me asking for X when that
is not actually the procedure to create the end result that he or she wants. This is
why all of us at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery (BCFPS) are such advocates of
scheduling an in-person consultation. It is the best way to ensure that you are
getting the exact right treatment plan — one that will work while also suiting your
lifestyle, including your budget. Here are some factors to keep in mind when
considering a surgical procedure, specifically.
Tolerance for Downtime
A surgical procedure can deliver an incredibly powerful result. However, it will
involve an incision. This is the trade-off. And any incision, no matter how small,
requires downtime for recovery. Figuring out how much time will depend on the
procedure or procedures of choice as well as your body’s individual healing ability.
No two people are going to heal at the same rate. I will spend a lot of time during
your initial consultation asking in-depth questions in order to get a better
understanding of your body’s baseline for healing. I will inquire into your:
- Medical history
- Family history
- Any prior procedures
- Existing scars
- Lifestyle such as diet, exercise & whether or not you smoke
I also pride myself on being extremely up-front about what you can honestly
expect in terms of your downtime. If you are someone who simply cannot take the
time off from your job, or doesn’t have the patience to lay low then we will need to
come up with a less invasive treatment plan. It may not deliver the same result, but
if you can’t give your body the time to heal then it makes zero sense to have
surgery.
Can You Afford a Surgical Procedure?
Another consideration when it comes determining if you are a good candidate for
plastic surgery is budget. Most patients assume that any surgical procedure is going
to cost more than a non-surgical one. This is not always the case as the latter
generally requires more than one treatment while a surgical procedure is a one-
and-done. But any cosmetic work is going to be an out-of-pocket expense. I take
cost seriously and will be direct with you about the total cost for your chosen plan.
There are ways to finance cosmetic work, but I am not an advocate for anyone
going into serious debt. So, you need to have honest conversation with yourself
about whether or not you can afford to have surgery.
Patience as Surgical Results Take Time
The last, but certainly not least, question that I would advise you to consider is: Do
you have the patience for surgery?. One of the benefits of a surgical procedure is
that you will notice a difference in your body contour, for example, immediately.
But you will also be swollen and possibly bruised for many weeks. I generally tell
my body contouring patients that they can expect 80% of their results at 3 months
post-op but it can 6 or more months for the swelling to completely subside, and up
to a year for any potential scar to fully resolve itself. There are steps that we can
take for the later, like topical scar treatments, to speed up the process, but your
final, final result will take time. So, having realistic expectations is imperative.
To find out more about any surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean
Doherty at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 450-
0070 to schedule a consultation.
